People revere the Constitution yet know so little about it—and that goes for some of my fellow senators.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.

The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws.

What experience and history teach is this—that nations and governments have never learned anything from history or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

Sic semper tyrannis! The South is avenged.

There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.

You should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.